Digital road condition monitoring for efficient and sustainable Winter Maintenance

Purpose and goal:

The project aimed to evaluate benefits of using digital winter road condition information as a system support for improving the efficiency of winter road maintenance. The goal was: - Evaluate the use of digital winter road condition information for more efficient winter maintenance.

- Implementation of digital winter weather information by identifying and implementing the necessary adaptations in terms of organization, operations and working methods. - Apply digital winter road maintenance information as system support for winter road maintenance. Expected results and effects: The project is expected to have the following effects:

- cost-efficient winter road maintenance due to optimized winter road maintenance.

- Reduction of negative environmental impact of winter road maintenance through reduced use of de-icing salt and reduced emissions. - Reduction of traffic accident costs through improved road surface condition. - Increased gender equality due to a more attractive and modernized work environment.

Several of the expected effects described above have already been realized, such as fewer slips and improved winter road maintenance quality. Approach and implementation:

The project was conducted as a system demonstration where the digital tools for winter road maintenance were tested and evaluated during two winters. Prerequisites for the implementation of the results were created. To justify the implementation, a cost-benefit analysis was carried out, which showed major benefits in the form of savings in winter road maintenance costs and reduced costs for traffic accidents.

A tender document for the procurement of the digital tools was produced. Needs for adaptations of the working methods and organization were identified and implemented.